I've Been Told

by Arethia Hornsby

A Strong Black Woman
I've been told...
is often much alone.
She wears her strength like a cape,
surrounding her pain and fears
so no one knows for sure how really weak she
is..
It's only when she is alone that the cape will
slowly drop, and then revel the thing she holds
so dear.
That is the mask she wears as well...
To hold back all Her tears.